Water distillation unit



July 5, 1949- E. s. cLEMENs 2,475,482

WATER DISTILLATION UNIT Filed oct. 5, 1945 s sheets-sheet 1 43=s== eEJE- l 4 G9 v5 1 +4 Q 43 32 ff s# f l 33 "GG 1 'Vl l i 3 C'Tf l I '7 3 lI 6 C7 l 29 +6 i se 55\ 5+ [l 52 53 se xf-aa 39 a7 -`ses 39 i as se es Q--`Jf 5'? im n 1+ 25 I ,L n sa 21 .-14 /59 /18 l GO l l2 13 i 12 15gmc/Mofa 2G L j ,GG Y

1sj "a G5 SEELIEIILEIIS I My 5, E949.. E. s. cLEMENs WATER DISTILLATIONUNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 5, 1945 July 5, 149.. E. s. cLEMENsWATER DISTILLATION UNIT 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed OOC. 5, 1945 E E Clemenswww4 Patented 'July 5, 1949 WATER DISTILLATION UNIT Edwin S. Clemens,New Urieam, La., assigner to Higgins Industries, lne

uhiana corporation of Lo New Orleans, La.. a

Application October 5. 1945, Serial No. 620,589

9 Claims. (Cl. Zim-194) l This invention relates to a water distillationunit.

It has for its general object the provision of apparatus constructed todeliver the maximum volume of potable water for a given amount ofapplied heat; which maintains a constant rate of distillation andcondensation, having provisions for venting dissolved and volatilegases, thus effecting preliminary partial purification of the water;having means for maintaining constant water level in the evaporator,means for bleeding the evaporator to prevent undue rise in the solids orsolution concentration in the evaporator, and means for ilushing allwater passages when necessary, and which is adapted to serve as a sourceoi hot water, while operating, for domestic and other purposes.

A more specific object of the invention is the novel construction andarrangement of parts in the interest f mechanical Stability, emcielicylof operation, and ease of assemblage.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the following descriptionof a preferred and practical embodiment thereof proceeds.

In the drawings which accompany and formapart of the followingspecification:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a water distillation unitembodying the principles of the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-section in a dlametrical plane taken along the line2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a similar cross-section, partly broken away, taken along theline 3--3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a similar cross-section partly broken away, taken along theline I-I of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary cross-section in an axial plane, taken alongthe line lI-I of Figure 4.

Referring generally to Figure 1, the water distillation unit comprisesan evaporator I, a condenser 2 and an outer casing I, the latterfiguringr in the structural rigidity of the apparatus. The lower part ofthe evaporator, up to the level of water indicated in Figure l. may be.referred to as the boiler I, and thespace within the evaporator abovethe boiler l as the steam chamber 5./

The condenser contains the tubular coil I, through which cooling waterpasses, and a chamber 'I surrounding the coil I, in which the steam fromthe evaporator is condensed.

Although, of course, neither size nor dimensions are critical totheinvention, for the sake of imparting a concrete concept of thisapparatus it may be stated that in a popular size in which itthirty-five inches, and the overall diameter about fifteen inches. In adistillation unit of this size, the boiler will contain about thirtypounds of water. As will later appear, the cooling water from thecondenser, or at least a part thereof, passes as makeup water into theboiler of the evaporator. so that the water in the boiler is preheated.

Now, referring to the evaporator I, it consists of a cylindrical shellI,- the lower end I of which is flush with and forms .part of thesupporting foot or bottom of the apparatus. The upper end is outwardlyilared, as at II, providing an outwardly extending annular iiange towhich the condenser is secured. At some distance from its bottom end.the shell I is closed by a transverse peripherally flanged plate I I,which is secured, preferably by welding or soldering to the shell Iforming the water-tight bottom of the boiler I. 'I'he external chamberI2 beneath the plate II is adapted to contain the 'base portions I3 ofthe electrical heating elements I4 which extend into the boiler. Theremay be one or more of these. They are introduced through suitableapertures in the plate II, which apertures are suitably sealed so as tobe water-tight.

In the event that other heating means than electrical are employed, theexternal chamber I2 provides a housing for such heating means. Atransverse annular channel I5 with downwardly depending external andinternal flanges fits snugly about the lower end of the shell I, and issecured thereto as by welding. 'Ihe flanges of said channel terminate ina transverse plane, which embraces the lower end of the shell I. Theboiler has a side connection II near the bottom plate II for a bleedpipe I1, controlled by the valve II.

suitably secured to the outer side of the shell I is the constant levelmaintaining device I9 for feeding make-up water to the boiler. Thisconsists of an outer tube 2l of relatively large diameter, having aclosed top 2I and extending to a point below the level of the bottomplate II and .to a point above the desired water level in the boiler.The lower part of the tube 20 communicates with the lower part of theboiler by means of a nipple 22, and the upper part of said tube.

- above the water level, communicates with atmosphere by means of thenipple 23. The tube 2l of relatively small diameter, the lower extendingend of which is connected to an elbow 20, through which hot water inexcess of the make-up needs of the boiler may be dischargedto a drain.

is manufactured the overall height is about 56 or utilized for domesticor other purposes. The

tube 2l extends axially within the tube 29, having an open top whichterminates at the desired water level. The outer tube' 28 has a sideconnection 21, see also Figure 2, connected to the upper or outlet endof the condenser cooling water coilby the pipe 29, shown in broken linesin Figure 1. The above described features, with, the exception of thepipes l1 and 29, are connected in unitary manner," and constitute theevaporator unit.

29 having the same diameter as the shell 8 of the evaporator, and havingout-turned peripheral ilanges 39 and 3| at its upper and lower ends. Atop plate 32 is bolted to the upper flange 39, a gasket 33 intervening.A bottom member 34 is bolted to the lower ilange 3l, a gasket 35 beingprovided to seal the joint. The bottom member is of composite structure,consisting of similar inner and outer plates 39 and 31, spaced apartthrough the insertion ot the annular channel member 38 between theirperipheral margins. The space between the plates 39. and 31 is illledwith heat insulation material 39, such as tiberglass. The lower plate 31rests'upon the outturned flange III at the upper end of the condensershell, single bolts passing through the lower flange of the condensershell 29, the gasket 35, the plate 38, the web of the annular channelmember 38, the lower plate 31, and the upper tlange i of the condensershell, thus securing the condenser to the evaporator. A gasket 40 isshown, sealingthe joint between the evaporator and condenser. The bottommember 34 is provided witha central aperture, through which extends awide steam tube 4I, the upper end extending to a point adjacent theupper part oi' the condenser, while the lower end projects a shortdistance into the steam chamber of the evaporator. The steam tube 4i issecured to the upper plate 36 of the bottom member 34 in watertightmanner, as by soldering, the soldered joint being indicated at 42.Preferably, the steam tube 4I is also soldered to the lower plate 31 ofthe bottom member.

The top plate 32 is provided at equal distances from its center with aseries of vertical vent tubes 'I'he condenser 2 consists of acylindrical shellwith the steam tube 4I are relied upon to support thetubular coil within the condenser. In assembling. the coil is placedwithin the shell 29 before either the top plate 32 or bottom member 34is put in place. The coil is then shifted laterally until its endsprotrude through the apertures in the side of the shell. Then the topcover 32 is put in place. the vent tubes 43 which are attached theretobeing introducedthrough the helices of smallest diameter. Then thebottom member 24 is put in place, the steam tube 4I being slidablyinserted between the vent tubes 43.

The top plate 32 has an upwardly convex bafile 41 secured to its lowerside at the center, said baule having arcuate cutouts in its peripherywhich llt closely about the vent tubes 43. 'I'he baille -41 confrontsthe open upper end oi the steam tube 4I in spaced relation thereto and43, which extend downwardly to a point adjacent the bottom of thecondenser and upwardly some distance above the top plate 32. The innerportions of these tubes extend in close relation to the steam tube 4|.,which is telescoped between them. 'I'he vent tubes 43 are preferablysoldered to the top plate 32, as indicated at 44, to make a fluid-tightJoint.

The condensing coil 9 is within the shell 29, having its upper and lowerends 4l `and 48 extended through apertures in the shell 29, with aduidtight joint between said ends and the shell. Figure 1 shows that thehelices of the tubular coil 9 have staggered diameters whereby certainhelices embrace closely the vent tubes 43, while other helices extend toa mid position between the shell 2 9 and the steam tube 4i, while stillother helices extend adjacent the shell 29. This staggered arrangementof the helices places them at various radial distances within thechamber 1, in positions where one does not unduly blanket another, andeach is in best position to most etilciently contact the vapor withinthe chamber 1. The helical arrangement, as shown, is merely illustrativeof several equivalent modesof winding which might be adopted, it beingimportant only that certain helices shall closely embrace the vent.tubes 43, since the latter in conjunction diverts the steam issuing fromsaid steam tube laterally in all directions into the upper part oi thecondenser chamber 1.

The lower end of the steam tube 4| which projects into the steam chamber8 of the evaporator is provided with an annular rib 48. This forms meansfor the attachment of the baille 49, which is positioned in the upperpart of the steam chamber 5 and has spring clips 59 secured to its upperface, the ends of winch are indented to form channels 5i which ilt aboutthe rib 48 and hold the baille 49 removably in place.

The condenser shell 29 is provided at one side near the bottom with abushing'52, to receive the distilled water discharge pipe 53. A rawwater supply pipe 54 controlled by the valve 65 is connected to thelower end of the tubular coil 8. The upper end of said tubular coildischarges through the pipe 28 to the constant level makeup device I9 ofthe evaporator, as previously described. The upper end of the condensershell 29 below the out-turned upper ange 30 is provided 'with theannular channelled member having downturned ilanges, said member beingbolted in place by the same bolts which secure the upper plate 32 to thecondenser shell.

'I'he evaporator and condenser shells are surrounded in spacedrelationby an outer casing 59, which extends from the level of the foot of theevaporator shell to the level of the web of the upper annular channelmember 55, said shell contacting the outer ilanges of the annularchannelA members i5, 38 and BI, and being bolted thereto by the bolts69. Said outer casing is pref- 'erably formed of two semi-cylindricalparts 51 and 58, lapping along their longitudinal margins. The raw watersupply pipes 94, the nipple 23 and the hot water discharge pipe 28 arein longitudinal alignment on one side of the distillation unit and thedistilled water discharge pipe 53 and bleed pipe l1 are in longitudinalalignment on the opposite side, and the outer casing 99 is so arrangedthat said pipes pass through apertures in the respective lapped marginsof the halves of said casing. Said margins are formed with open endedslots having circular inner ends which match to form circular aperturessurrounding the respective pipes and nipple. Said pipes and nipple areprovided with peripherally externally channelled bushings 89, into thechannels of which the lapped margins of the halves of the outer casingslip so that the bushings conceal the open ended slots, and by means ofwhich lapped margins said bushings are held ilrmly in position.

The lapped margins are secured together by a series of screws 90. Thepipe 28 which connects the outlet of the condenser coil with theconstant level maintaining device extends within the annular spacedefined within the outer casing and has a, regulating valve 6|, the neckof which extends through an opening 62 in the outer casing, and has anexternal operating knob 63. The pipe 28 passes through a hole 64 in theannular channel member 3l. The outer casing is also provided with a hole85, through which the electric wire feeding the heating elements,passes.

The upper part of the'outer casing is sur-- rounded by a band 61, whichforms the seat for the ledge of a hood 68, which is of such diameter asto overlap the upper en'd of the outer casing. The hood is boltedthrough the outer casing, and the outer flange of the upper annularchannel member 55 by the bolts 56.

The hood is provided with holes 69, which register with the vent tubes43, and through which the upper ends of said tubes pass when the hood isfirst assembled. Afterwards, the projecting ends of said tubes areground off flush with the top of the hood, as illustrated in Figure 1.

In operation, raw water is admitted to the condenser coil through thepipe 54 by opening the supply valve 55, the water flowing from thecondenser coil through the pipe 2l into the outer tube it ofthe constantlevel maintaining device until the water reaches the level as shown,after which excess water `overflows through the inner pipe 28 and isdischarged through the elbow 26. The heat is then turned on and .theregulating-valve adjusted so that the discharging water preferably has atemperature of from 190 to 200 F., or until, when the distillation unitis in full operation, a slight wisp of steam occasionally issues fromthe vent tubes 43. Ordinarily, after having once been set, theregulating valve does not have to be adjusted. Since the applied heat isconstant and a constant water level is maintained, the rate ofevaporation and distillation are also constant. The water vapor fillsthe steam space 5, passed upward through the steam tube 4I, is deflectedby the baille 41, passes into the condensing chamber 1, and comesv intocontact with the staggered helices of the condensing coil against whichit is condensed and accumulates in the bottom of the condensing chamber1, from which it is discharged through the pipe 53. The purpose of thebaille is to guard the entrance to the steam tube 4I and prevent rawwater from splashing up through the steam tube 4| under the energy ofebullition and contaminating the distilled water in the condenserchamber.

In the event that the raw water is hard or otherwise charged withsubstances which might objectionably increase their concentration in thewater body in the boiler 4, the valve I8 which controls the bleed pipel1 may be cracked to permit a continuous bleeding of some of the waterfrom the boiler, thus permitting automatic dilution of the water body byraw water supplied through the constant level maintaining device.

Occasionally, it may be desirable to flush the water passages, includingthe boiler. This is done by first opening the supply valve 55 wide, andopening the bleed valve i8 wide. Then the regulating valve 6l isgradually opened until it is open as wide as possible, or until waterstarts flowing from the nipple 23. Then the regulating valve is closedslowly until water stops running from this nipple. This will allow themaximum amount of water to circulate through the condenser coils and theevaporator and to flush out. After flushing, the regulating valve isclosed to its normal position and the valve i8 is either closed entirelyor r reset to the extent of opening to permit normal bleeding.

While I have in the above description disclosed what I believe to be apreferred and practical embodiment of my invention, it will beunderstood to those skilled in the art that the specific details ofconstruction are illustrative and not to be construed as limiting thescope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a water distillation unit,`a condenser comprising a shell, top andbottom members secured to opposite ends of said shell defining therewitha condensing chamber, a steam tube carried by said bottom member openingtherethrough, and extending upward within said shell, a group of venttubes carried by said top member opening therethrough, and extendingdownward within said shell, closely surrounding said steam tube, and acondensing coil within said shell having helices closely embracing saidgroup of vent tubes, whereby said coil is mutually supported by saidsteam tube and vent tubes.

2. Ina water distillation unit, an evaporator shell, and above it acondenser shell, said shells being outwardly flanged at their adjacentends, a partition between said shells forming the bottom of thecondenser shell and the top of the evaporator shell, comprising coaxialspaced parallel plates having their margins engaging the respectiveflanges at the adjacent ends of said shells, an intermediate annularchannel member having inner and outer peripheral flanges, transverselyarranged coaxially of said shells with its inner portion including saidinner flange between said l plates, heatinsulation material within thespace between said plates, means for securing said shells and partitiontogether through the adjacent flanges of said shells, said plates andthe intervening channel member, upper and lower annular channel memberssimilar to said intermediate channel member and of the same outsidediameter as said intermediate channel member, closely surrounding saidshells at points remote from their adjacent ends and secured thereto,and an f outer casing extending from said upper to said lower channelmember secured to the outer flanges of said channel members.

3. Water distillation unit as claimed in claim 2, including an openended steam tube passing through said partitionand secured to saidplates, having a portion of major length extending into said condensershell and a portion of minor length extending into said evaporatorshell.

4. Water distillation unit as claimed in claim 2, including an openended steam tube passing through said partition and secured to saidplates, having a portion of major length extending into said condensershell and a portion of minor length extending into said evaporatorshell, the latter portion having a circumferential bead, and a baleguarding the lower open end of said steam tube having spring fingersengaging said bead removably supporting said baille on said steam tube.

5. In a water distillation unit, a condenser comprising a shell, top andbottom members secured to opposite ends of said shell defining therewitha condensing chamber, a steam tube carried by said bottom member openingtherethrough and extending upward within said shell,

helices closely surrounding said group of vent tubes whereby said coilis mutually supported by said steam tube and vent tubes, an outer casingin spaced relation to said shell including a hood overlying said topmember, said vent tubes eX- tending to said hood and openingtherethrough.

6. In a water distillation unit, a condenser comprising a shell, top andbottom members secured to opposite ends of said shell d ening therewitha condensing chamber, a steam tube carried by said bottom member openingtherethrough and extending upward within said shell, a group of venttubes carried by said top member opening therethrough and extendingdownward within said shell, closely surrounding said steam tube, acondensing coil within said shell having helices closely embracing saidgroup of vent tubes whereby said coil is mutually supported by saidsteam tube and vent tubes, and a baille secured to the under side ofsaid top member in spaced relation to the upper end of said steam tube,closely surrounded by said vent tubes.

7. In a water distillation unit, a condenser comprising a shell, top andbottom members secured to opposite ends of said shell deflning therewitha condensing chamber, a steam tube carried by said bottom member openingtherethrough and extending upward vwithin said shell, a group of venttubes carried by said top member opening therethrough and extendingdownward Awithin said shell, closely surrounding said steam tube, acondensing coil within said shell having helices closely embracing saidgroup of vent tubes where- Iby said coil is mutually supported by saidsteam tube and vent tubes, and a baffle secured to the under side ofsaid top member in spaced relation to the upper end of said steam tube,closely surrounded by said vent tubes having indentations in itsperiphery fitting about said vent tubes.

8. In a water distillation unit, an evaporator shell and above it acondenser shell, a partition between said shells constituting the top ofone and the bottom of the other comprising spaced parallel plates, anintermediate annular channel member having inner and outer peripheralflanges, transversely arranged coaxially of said shells with only itsinner portion including said ange, positioned between said plates actingas a spacer therefor, means for securing said shells and partitiontogether, upper and lower channel members similar to said intermediatechannel member and of the same outside diameter as the latter,respectively closely surrounding said condenser shell at the top andsaid evaporator shell at the bottom and being secured thereto, an outercasing extending from said upper to said lower channel member, securedto the outer iianges of said channel members, a bottom for saidevaporator shell located at a distance from the lower end of saidevaporator shell defining Within said shell an external chamber forreceiving heating means, a constant level maintaining make-up waterfeeding device within said casing carried externally by said evaporatorshell comprising a tube 'of relatively large diameter communicating withsaid evaporator shell, closed to the space `between said casing andshells and having a vent near its top through said casing to atmosphere,an overflow tube of relatively small diameter extending longitudinallywithin said tube of relatively large diameter having its open upper endpositioned at the desired level of water within said evaporator shell, adrain pipe from the lower end of said overflow tube extending throughsaid casing, acondensing coil within said condenser shell, a raw watersupply pipe extending through said casing to the lower end of said coil,a connection within said casing between the upper end of said coil andsaid make-up water feeding device, a regulating valve in said connectionhaving its operating handle external to said casing, said partitionhaving a passage therethrough establishing communication between theinteriors of said shells, and a top closure for said condenser shell.

9. In a Water distillation unit, an evaporator shell and above it acondenser shell, a partition between said shells provided with meansforming a steam passage therethrough, similar transversely arrangedannular channel members having the same external diameters, greater thanthat of said shells, arranged coaxiallyof said shells, one about theupper end of the condenser shell, one about the lower end of the bottomshell, and the other in the zone of thepartition, said annular membersbeing fixed to said shells, a coil in said condenser shell, a constantlevel make-up water feeding device on the outside or said evaporatorshell, a raw water supply pipe connected to one end of said coil, theother end of said coil being connected to said make-up water feedingdevice, a drain pipe from said make-up water feeding device, acondensate discharge pipe from the lower part of said condenser shell,ami-lush pipe from the lower part of said evaporator shell, said rawwater pipe and drain pipe lying in an axial plane on one side of saidunit, and said condensate discharge pipe and flush pipe lying in saidaxial plane on the opposite side of said unit, said pipes extendingoutwardly beyond said annular channel members, a cylindrical outercasing divided into longitudinal halves with lapping margins, adjacentmargins on each side having matching slots opening in the longitudinaledges of said margins adapted to embrace said pipes when said casinghalves are brought together in lapped relation, said casing beingsecured to said annular Vchannel members.

EDWIN S. CLEMENS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 404,512 Vail June 4, 1889 544,810Kelly Aug.'20, 1895 825,178 Barnstead July 3, 1906 829,999 Parker Sept.4, 1906 1,222,801 Rosenbauml Apr. 17, 1917 2,303,126 Koppel Nov. 24,1942 2,392,893 Williamson Jan. 15, 1946

